Transmission grips then slips

EROCKN

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN
3.3L
V6
AUTOMATIC
235,317 MILES

I bought the van listed above used. It has a lot of problems. The transmission has become the most prevalent issue, it was slightly slipping, I put in some Lucas, and it caused me to be overfull of transmission fluid. So, I ran like that for a little bit before siphoning some out. I was a little low after that I put some more in now it looks like I'm about right, but the transmission is ripping and slipping. Which I mean usually the transmission will slip as it goes this is just totally disengaging after I put it in gear it will go for a couple seconds then totally disengages. What's going on?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This sounds like one of two things. First the fluid level or condition is still not correct.

So, let's start with starting the engine and getting the engine hot and then check the level.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Next is the pressure in the unit is not correct or there is a leak as the pressure builds. So, we would need to check the pressure in the unit to find out if this is the issue. We need to check it when you are getting the slipping, but I suspect we have a leak in the system that is allowing the pressure to bleed off which releases the gear.

I am attaching the info below from the manual on this so please run through all this and let me know what you find, and we can go from there.

Thanks

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